Essential Summer Hiking Clothes

If you were born in the 90s, there’s a pretty good chance our childhoods were very similar. I spent 90% of my summer vacations outside, either playing in the woods, swimming, or biking around town. These adventures helped me foster a deep love for the great outdoors.

As much as I loved being outside, my plans were always impacted by the weather. If it was raining, too hot, or too cold, I wouldn’t go outside. This was largely due to the fact that I didn’t wear or even own “outdoorsy” clothing that helps you stay warm, dry, and comfortable. And, to be honest, outdoor clothing wasn’t as popular (or as stylish) back then as it is now.

Today, my passion for the outdoors remains, but the weather no longer limits what I can do. This is largely due to how much I have learned about appropriate hiking clothing for every season. I’m also largely thankful for how far athletic clothing has come in the past twenty years. Now, I would like to share all of this knowledge with you!

To stay warm and dry this summer, try investing in these essential summer hiking clothes:

Darn Tough socks

These Vermont-made socks are guaranteed for life. They're even tested by Darn Tough employees to hold up to every season and outdoor activity. They may cost a little more than other socks you’ve bought in the past, but they’re worth it. Every Darn Tough sock comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If the socks don’t hold up for any reason, you can return them for another pair.

With so many different sock styles, materials, and heights, there is a Darn Tough sock for every occasion. My personal favorite is the lightweight micro crew socks. They’re perfect for hiking, biking, or any other outdoor activity. They’re lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable, and fast-drying. Trust me, once you go darn tough, you can never go back.

Moveable, breathable hiking pants

I’m sorry, but leggings don’t cut it when it the weather gets hot and humid. Which is why every hiker needs a good pair of hiking pants. My personal favorite hiking pants are these Skyline Traveler pants from Patagonia. I love how they fit—slim, yet stretchy. They seem to hug you in all the right places. They’re water repellant and do a pretty bang-up job wicking moisture.

I think my favorite thing about these pants is that they come in both short and regular sizes. It’s so hard to find hiking pants when you’re petite (can I get an amen?!) and, to my surprise, these pants fit me perfectly in every way. I ordered a 2 short and they ended up being very flattering, which, trust me, is a rarity. If you’re in the market for some good hiking pants, I would highly recommend trying these.

A moisture wicking, lightweight top

A breathable, lightweight short or long-sleeve shirt is a staple in every hiker’s closet. This Capilene Cool Merino shirt from Patagonia is perfect for every outdoor summer activity, due to it’s polyester and merino blend. It will keep sweat off your back so you can appear calm, cool, and collected, even if you’re extremely out of shape.

Click here to learn more about the long-sleeve version this shirt that’s perfect for hiking in the late summer or early fall. Another great option for summer acitivities is this Capilene Cool Trail Shirt, which has more color and sizing options than the Capilene Cool Merino shirt.

A warm fleece

Equally as important as the lightweight top is the fleece you layer over it. This fleece from Patagonia is lightweight, breathable, and quick drying. It’ll help you retain heat and stay warmer longer. The fleece is not available in petite or plus sizes, but it does come in a few colors.

I love supporting Patagonia for a number of reasons. Most of their clothing is made from recycled materials and fair trade certified. They also stand by their products. If you buy a item of clothing from them and it doesn’t perform as well as you wanted it to, you can return it months or even years later. They also launched a used gear store where customers can buy, trade in, and fix used gear.

With the right gear, hiking in the summer can be both rewarding and comfortable, regardless of the weather. I hope you’ve found this article both helpful and insightful! Stay safe and smart!